The life and death of translation elongation factor 2

• DOI: 10.1042/bst0340001
• Publication Date: 2006-01-26T12:11:34Z
• Authors: R. Jørgensen; A.R. Merrill; G.R. Andersen
• Keywords: Elongation factor; Pseudomonas exotoxin; Diphtheria Toxin; Elongation; Eukaryotic translation; eIF2; Initiation factor

eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor 2) occupies an essential role in protein synthesis where it catalyses the translocation of two tRNAs and mRNA after peptidyl transfer on 80 S ribosome. Recent crystal structures cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction its complex now provide a substantial structural framework for dissecting functional properties this factor. The can be modified by either phosphorylation or ADP-ribosylation, which results cessation translation. We review with particular emphasis unique diphthamide residue, is ADP-ribosylated diphtheria toxin from Corynebacterium diphtheriae exotoxin A Pseudomonas aeruginosa.